Bike & Barge on the Merlijn and Quo Vadis Bamberg Mainz September 24 th October 1 st 2016

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1 Bike & Barge on the Merlijn and Quo Vadis Bamberg Mainz September 24 th October 1 st 2016 MS MERLIJN MS QUO VADIS Day 1: arrival in Bamberg [Main River km 389] You are welcomed on board the Merlijn and Quo Vadis with a welcome cocktail. The afternoon is free, allowing you to explore Bamberg, the historic bishops town with Villa Concordia, the historic lock 100, the water castle, the baroque house on the bridge and the former fishing settling Small Venice all emphasizing the tight connection between town and river. Dinner on board the barges and overnight stay in Bamberg Day 2: Bamberg [Main 389 KM] Schweinfurt [Main 355 KM]; Bike tour approx 35 KM We leave Bamberg and after a visit of the city we bike along the river Main passing the famous pilgrimage church Maria Limbach and the town of Eltmann. We reach our today s goal Hassfurt, famous for the late gothic Ritter chapel and the late gothic church at the market square with its valuable paintings (John the Baptist and Maria with child) by Tilmann Riemenschneider. In Hassfurt we embark and barge to Schweinfurt with its old centre full of cosy little spots, the town hall, the tower

2 and the market place, the museums and galleries and a lot more, amongst them all the artificial Schweine (pigs). If you want to bike the whole trip to Schweinfurt it will take you approx. 20 Km more. Dinner on board the barges and overnight stay in Schweinfurt. Day 3: Schweinfurt [Main 333 KM] Marktbreit [Main 277 KM]; Bike tour approx. 40 KM Cruising during breakfast we will pass villages such as Fahr, Hirschfeld, Röthlein and Grafenrheinfeld. Your bike tour starts at Volkach, weher we head for a cultural highlight: the pilgrimage church Maria im Weingarten and the famous Madonna im Rosenkranz by Tilmann Riemenschneider. Passing villages - where the Main eddies like crazy - that all are very well known to wine connoisseurs like Nordheim, Sommerach and Dettelbach. We also pass Kitzingen that s famous for its leaning tower of which the story goes that s its leaning because the builders, who because of water shortage mixed the mortar with wine instead of water, had too much wine while mixing. Dinner on board the barges and overnight stay in the charming village of Marktbreit. Day 4: Marktbreit [Main 277 KM] Karlstadt [Main 226] Lohr [Main 220]; Bike tour approx. 35 KM Before breakfast, early in the morning we already start sailing, and while you enjoy your breakfast we cruise to Würzburg [Main 253 KM], the Baroque town on the river Main. Here you disembark and explore this beautiful city.

3 We offer you a guided tour through the Würzburg Residenz. After your visit of Würzburg the bike tour starts to Karlstadt, with its historic centre. Your bike tour leads you along the Main via Zellingen and Erlabrunn. We continue through the vineyards, the hills full of vines and charming wine villages like Eibelstadt and Sommerhausen. From Karlstadt we will sail to Lohr, serving you a sailing dinner. Dinner on the barges and overnight stay in Lohr am Main. Day 5: Lohr (Main 220 KM] Miltenberg [Main 157 KM]; Bike tour of approx. 55/35 KM First we sail a little more on the Main river, and your bike tour may start at the first stop today, Marktheidenfeld. It takes us along historic monuments, like the Triefenstein monastery and halftimbered castle Homburg, through the varying landscape with both wine mountains and afforested mountain slopes with bizarre rocks. The barges will stop also in Wertheim and you can decide to join the other cyclists from here. Wertheim - situated right there where the rivers Main and Tauber meet is a town that invites you to come and visit its historic centre and the mountain ruins. After your visit to Wertheim your bike tour continues to the historic city of Miltenberg. It is charming because of its meandering streets and alleys, old restored half-timber houses and the historic market square. You may want to go for a drink in the oldest Pub of Germany Zum Riesen. Tonight you will be offered a visit to one of the many Brauhauses in this region and taste the local beer. Dinner on the barges and overnight stay at Miltenberg. Day 6: Miltenberg [Main 157 KM] Aschaffenburg [Main 87]; Bike tour approx. 40 KM. Following the river (sometimes at the right and then again at the left bank) we pass lovely small towns and villages. Groszheubach and Klingenberg are famous for their fine red wines. We continue via Bürgstadt to Freudenberg and further on to Aschaffenburg, with its museums, churches and of course

4 the castle that s situated at the river bank. Tonight you will have dinner at your own expense in one of the many restaurants in Aschaffenburg. We will stay overnight in Aschaffenburg. Day 7: Aschaffenburg [Main 87 KM] Mainz [Rhein 471 KM]; Bike tour of approx. 35 KM We start sailing very early and you will enjoy the view on the charming Main river from the barges. We will pass Seligenstadt and further on along the river Main we pass Klein-Krotzenburg, Hainstadt und Hanau, the town where the famous Grimm brothers were born. Continuing sailing we will pass Frankfurt, with its great skyline. A little further on your bike tour starts to Mainz, our final destination. In the afternoon you will have time to explore the city of Mainz. Frankfurt am Main After your farewell dinner you will have time again to stroll through this interesting city, with its Dom, and charming Altstadt.

5 Day 8: Mainz After breakfast it is time to say goodbye and continue your European trip or leave for the airport. We reserve to ourselves the right of changing schedule and/or program. If part of the route is not navigable the captain is entitled to change the schedule for safety reasons. Changes in schedule and program do not give you the right on free cancellation. Included: 7 nights accommodations on board the Merlijn or the Quo Vadis Daily cabin cleaning service Welcome drink Daily breakfast buffets, 6 times 3-course dinners, starting with dinner on day 1 and ending with breakfast on day 8, 6 times packed lunches Coffee, tea, hot chocolate & ice water on board 24-speed bicycle on the Merlijn, 7-speed bycicle on the Quo Vadis, incl. towel, bike bag and universal sized helmet Brewery tour and beer tasting in Miltenberg Guided tour and entrance Wurzburg Residenz Services of a tour guide, one on each barge Free water bottle per person Ferry fares en route Gratuities to the staff and tour guide Not included: Insurances Inbound and outbound journey and transfers 1 dinner Wine tasting Organised city tours Drinks other than mentioned Entrance fees, excursions We will be happy to inform you on transfers, city hotel reservations, rental of our tandem or electric bikes ( 25 each per day)